Arts and Humanities 2007 Department Nominees and Awardees

Undergraduate Nominees

Art and Design

Jamie Ibey

Ms. Jamie Ibey has been on the President’s
list every semester at Fresno State while taking class loads of up
to 21 units per semester. She is graduating with a BA in Studio Art
with a GPA of 3.94. She is a member of both the Golden Key
International Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi International Honor
Society. An accomplished portrait photographer, she started her own
business 7 years ago, specializing in children and their families
and is also considered to be one of the most accomplished painters
in the department. Jamie’s strengths as a natural leader and
commitment to community are demonstrated by her volunteer efforts
such as 2003-04 Baha’I Youth Service Corps where she taught
art and spiritual values to children. She has also donated hundreds
of dollars of artwork for auctions benefiting non-profit
organizations such as Fresno Covenant Foundation and Scholarship
Uganda. As co-curator of the Annual Student Art Exhibition for CSUF
Conley Gallery, she developed a computer program for organizing the
inventory of student entries in the exhibit, which is now being
used for all following shows.

Communication

Brittany Cooley

Brittany Cooley embodies the well-rounded
student most specifically characterized by her self-discipline,
academic acumen, and future promise. Ms. Cooley is a model
student-athlete and Team Captain. As a leader on the Fresno State
women’s golf team she played in 80% of her tournaments and
worked ahead of schedule in her classes often learning the material
without aid of class discussion. For three years she has been
recognized for academic achievements at the Kiwanis Torch of
Excellence. Her future holds much promise-her leadership in
academic, athletics and in her community is something we can all be
proud of.

English

Jill Buettner

Jill Buettner will graduate in May 2007 with
a major in English and a minor in French. She has a 4.0 GPA and has
been a Smittcamp Honors student during her four years at CSUF. In
2003-05, she was one of the seven professional members of the
Fresno Ballet, balancing the demands of that position with 15-17
units each semester. She is currently working as a tutor in the
English Department Writing Center. She plans to earn a Ph.D. in
English with an emphasis in British Romanticism.

Linguistics

Amanda K. Mewbourn

The Linguistics Department is proud to
nominate Amanda K. Mewbourn for the 2007 Dean’s Medal. She is
the first person in her family to earn a B.A. degree. Amanda stands
out as an outstanding linguistics major (TESL option) who is also
completing two minors: one in Asian studies and the other in
Japanese. In addition to studying Japanese, she is trying to master
Mandarin (Chinese). She has developed a passion for Taiwan and
spent a year studying at the National Taiwan University. To prepare
for her career as an EFL teacher, Amanda has completed linguistics
courses that are part of her TESL option. In addition, she has
taken advantage of opportunities at the on-campus American English
Institute (AEI), where she served as a volunteer conversation
partner, as a volunteer teacher’s apprentice for two
semesters, and as a teacher of pronunciation.

Mass Communication and Journalism

Jamie Gard

Jamie Gard is a Smittcamp Family Honors College
scholar and a MCJ student majoring in Public Relations with a minor
in Business Administration. Even though Jamie works full-time and
is involved with numerous community projects, she has maintained a
4.0 GPA. Jamie works as a Communications Coordinator for the
Central Valley Nutrition Network and for Tutoring Club of Clovis
where she tutors a variety of students ranging in age from 5-17 in
areas of math, reading and writing. Jamie’s dedication to the
community is overwhelming and has given numerous hours of service
to her community. She volunteers in Clovis Elementary kindergarten
classes, served as an application reader for the Smittcamp Family
Honors College, worked with the American Cancer Society and Fresno
media to publicize Relay for Life, and provided the initial concept
and inspiration for the Arts & Humanities Honors Program. Aside
from giving of her time to the community and college, Jamie has
also served in a variety of leadership roles: founding and editing
the Smittcamp Family Honors College student-run newsletter
(Smittcamp Scoop), organizing the first-ever Public Relations
Student Society of America (PRSSA) Regional Activity at CSUF as the
PRSSA President, and serving on a variety of Associated Students
(AS) committees including the Strategic Planning Committee and the
AS Election Commission. Jamie has been recognized for her academic
achievements through the Northern California Scholarship Foundation
Academic Achievement Awards (in 2004 and 2006), by seven semesters
on the President’s List and the Dean’s List for
academic achievement, and as a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honors
Society and Kappa Tau Alpha Honors Society. Complementing her
diverse experiences as a CSUF student, Jamie participated in a 2005
study abroad program to Egypt that emphasized historical and
cultural roots of Middle Easterners and African Americans.

Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures

Viviana Asencion

Viviana Asencion and her younger sister
joined their parents when they came to the United States. She has
supported herself through high school and college with a series of
part-time jobs and grants, because education and improving her
future has always been her most important goal. When she came to
CSU Fresno from the L.A. area, her plan was to be a school
counselor. Having almost finished her Liberal Studies degree, she
took a Spanish literature class from Dr. Saul Jimenez-Sandoval. It
was at this time that it became clear to her that the Spanish
language and literature are as valuable as any other in the world,
even though many may not appreciate it. A member of the
International Honor Society, MECha (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano)
and Entre Nosotras (a club for Hispanic women), she also volunteers
at the American English Institute at Fresno State as a conversation
partner for international students. She works as a Bilingual Aid
substitute for Fresno Unified School District, and as a
para-educator substitute for special education classes for Fresno
County. Viviana plans to begin the M.A. program in Spanish this
Fall, and ultimately wants to finish a Doctorate degree in Spanish
at the University of Arizona. She has a special interest in how
women are perceived in the Latin-American culture, especially
Mexican culture and feels her goal to become a professor, joining
the few Mexican women with Ph.Ds, would set an example and be of
encouragement to Mexican women, showing it is possible to reach
their goals and dreams. Viviana feels that Spanish is essential in
the United States, and that by teaching Spanish she would aid in
preserving the language here in the US.

Music

Jessie Fox Brunner

Jessie Fox Brunner is a musician of
depth and ability, actively involved as both a classical and jazz
saxophonist. In 1999, he was selected as lead tenor saxophonist for
the Kern County Honor Jazz Band, which opened for saxophone
extraordinaire, Kirk Whalum, at the Bakersfield Jazz Festival.
Previously in 1997, Jesse and his mother, Shirley, began
maintaining a website for saxophonist Nelson Rangel. During the
summers of 1998 and 1999 Jesse attended the Mile High Jazz Camp at
the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO. It was there that he
spent time with Nelson Rangell, and studied with Dave Pietro along
with many others. Jessie has played lead saxophone for Bakersfield
College jazz band and CSU, Bakersfield. In 2003, he relocated to
Fresno to attend California State University, Fresno and continued
his jazz studies by making the top jazz band. After only one
semester Jesse's interests became more heavily involved with
classical music in all areas, but specifically with classical
saxophone and saxophone quartet. During performances as a solo
classical saxophonist and with his saxophone quartet at Fresno
State he has had opportunities to perform at many different venues.
In December, 2006, his saxophone quartet recorded and received
extensive radio play on KJWL 99.3 F.M. In the summer of 2006, Jesse
attended the prestigious Idyllwild Arts Academy under a full
scholarship. A highlight of his career was performing as principal
saxophonist with the Idyllwild Arts Wind Ensemble at the Disney
Concert Hall in Los Angeles, CA. Jesse has received scholarships
from Tehachapi High School, Tehachapi Newspaper, U.S. Marine Corps,
Bakersfield College, California State University Bakersfield,
California State University Fresno, the Loretta Anne Price Memorial
and Idyllwild Arts Academy. He is currently a member of IAJE and
the North American Saxophone Alliance. Jesse is a G.P.G
Publications recording artist and is published through Dorn
Publications. He is currently preparing for his Senior Recital on
March 10, 2007 and will be a featured soloist with the Fresno State
Wind Orchestra during their concerto concert on May 6, 2007. Jesse
has been privileged to study with Steven Mettler, Tower of Power
saxophonist Paul Perez, and Dr. Alan Durst. He is also equally
privileged and fortunate to have saxophonist/recording artist,
Nelson Rangell, as a mentor and dear friend. In his formal studies,
he is currently in his senior year at California State University,
Fresno working on a B.A. degree in Saxophone Performance and is on
track to graduate in May, 2007 with honors, Cum Laude. Above all,
Jesse enjoys spending time with his wife, Katie. They look forward
to beginning a family together as they support each other
throughout the many joyous journeys of life.

Music

Jennie Gray / Vocal Performance

Since an early age, Jennie had a passion to be
involved in vocal music, singing in church and high school choirs
and, later, at Merced Junior College, where she received several
scholarships. When she began her formal music studies at Fresno
State, she quickly became involved in Sigma Alpha Iota, serving as
VP/Ritual. She has been active in Choir Council, Concert Choir,
Opera Workshop (singing leading roles), Chamber Singers, and The
New Music Ensemble, currently volunteering as a Choral Assistant,
and page-turner for not only student convocation and recitals, but
for Music Faculty concerts. Jennie was the recipient of the
department’s Martha Hagen and Arthur Wahlberg Scholarships,
placed 2nd in the Fresno Opera League Competition for her age
division and received the Encouragement Award for the Fresno Music
Club’s Bell T. Ritchie Scholarship. In addition to her
numerous activities in the Music Department, she has also sung with
the Fresno Grand Opera Chorus for the past two and a half years,
giving her the opportunity to gain professional experience and the
honor of performing and learning from many world-renowned singers,
conductors and musicians, including Placido Domingo, William Boggs,
Walter Attanasi, and Theodore Kutchar. Jennie has been able to
maintain a 3.87 GPA, working both full-time and part-time jobs
along with her many curricular and non-curricular activities.

Philosophy

Michael Edward Olsen, Jr.

Michael Olsen has a double major
in philosophy (pre-law option and in psychology.) He is a member of
the Smittcamp Honors Program and recipient of the Floyd Burks,
Liliane D. Wells, and the Vivian I. Pickford memorial scholarships.
He carries a perfect 4.0 GPA in over 150 units of college courses.
His paper on philosopher Richard Rorty’s epistemology was
awarded a Juliana M. Bissett Philosophy scholarship and was
published in our undergraduate philosophy journal Voicing Ideas. He
has also participated in sponsored research in the College of
Mathematics and Science. He served as President of the CSUF
Recycling Club and volunteered with the Big Brothers, March of
Dimes, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the International student
Volunteers conservation group. He was elected to the Golden Key
Honor Society. He also tutors students at Hanford Union High School
in math and science. He served as an intern at the Central
California Legal Services, helping to clear the name and secure the
liberty of a client who was a victim of mistaken identity.
Department Chair Scott Moore speaks for the entire department when
he writes: “Truly Michael is an exceptional individual with a
principled conscience for social justice.”

Theatre Arts

Kristopher Cadieux

Kris came to us from Stockton as a
freshman in 2004 with a passion for theatre and teaching. Students
rarely excel in as many areas of theatre as Kris, and he has
achieved these significant accomplishments while earning a GPA of
3.84 in the major. He designed sets for our main season, including
last fall’s Intimate Apparel. He also represented us at the
National Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival acting
competition in Washington D.C. for an unprecedented two years in a
row. This spring, he combined his talents for the educational
outreach production of Step On a Crack by designing the set,
acting, and serving as tour/stage manager all at once. Recipient of
the Scholars for Service Grant for four years, Kris has volunteered
for Stone Soup, Fresno, worked with Kinesiology to develop a Young
Sports program, and has maintained his own non-profit organization
“Mitts 4 Kids” since 2002. Kris says with what he has
learned at Fresno State, he plans to put gloves on the hands and
joy in the hearts of children in every pocket of every town. We
hope he does.

Graduate Nominees

Art and Design
Erin Webster

A professional artist and single parent, Erin
Webster “wanted to model her life for her daughter, teaching
her to follow her aspirations even in the face of adversity.”
Erin is now graduating with a MA in Art in Drawing/Painting with a
GPA of 3.88. An exceptionally talented artist, she just completed
her first show since her residency at the Fresno art Museum in
2002. Erin has been deeply involved in the Fresno Art Community
while pursuing her Master’s Degree. She has taught classes at
the Fresno Art Museum Summer Art Academy, served as Art Link
Coordinator in the FAM Education department, worked for the FAM in
conjunction with the San Joaquin River Parkway Trust to develop and
teach curriculum for the Nature of Art summer camp for children
ages 9-12. Erin recently wrote the entire art curriculum for the
City of Fresno Parks & Recreation Department’s After
School Program and is teaching beginning painting at Fresno City
College. She is an outstanding artist and an even more outstanding
community asset.

Communication
DawnMarie McIntosh

Dawn Marie McIntosh will graduate with
an MA in Communication with a 3.9 GPA. In only four semesters she
accomplished so much. She has presented four self-authored research
papers, nationally and regionally, while acting as TA or individual
instructor for five different courses. Additionally she completed
her thesis, an ethnography of how race and gender is critiqued by
local Latina drag queens. From her research, she is readying two
manuscripts for refereed journals. Also, she is currently choosing
between four different PhD program acceptances where she wants to
focus on gendered communication. Eventually she hopes to return to
California as a Communication professor.

English
Guiseppe Getto/MA in English/MFA Creative Writing

Guiseppe Getto is a graduate student in both
composition theory and creative writing at California State
University-Fresno, where he teaches in the first-year writing
program. His scholarly interests have included ethnographic studies
of the academic labor movement and the development of a working
class studies curriculum for the composition classroom. His
creative interests are largely poetic, and usually involve
paradoxes of duality: self and landscape, psyche and memoryscape,
disappearance and the trace, fading and etching, remembering and
trying to forget. Currently he is working on finishing his MFA and
begins doctoral study in composition and rhetoric in the fall at
Michigan State University.

English
Jefferson Beavers
MFA in creative Writing

Born and raised in Dinuba, California,
Jefferson Beavers had established an enviable career as a
journalist and editor when he returned to CSUF to focus on creative
writing, and earn his Master of Fine Arts degree. Not content with
his reputation as a top student (with a 4.0 GPA in all graduate
coursework), an outstanding teacher in both the English and Mass
Communications and Journalism Departments, and an exceptionally
talented writer of creative nonfiction, Jefferson has distinguished
himself through his service to the MFA Program, the English
Department, and the community at large. His contributions include
founding and coordinating the San Joaquin Literary Association,
which has enhanced the life of campus and community by sponsoring
and planning conferences, workshops, student and faculty reading
events, and a Visiting Writers Series that brought world-renowned
writers to campus including Jonathan Franzen, Marilyn Chin, and
Joyce Carol Oates. Jefferson edited the university’s literary
magazine, the San Joaquin Review, and helped usher the English
Department into the 21st century by creating a weekly online
newsletter, MFAFresno.blogspot.com. His contributions to the
community have included coordinating the MFA Program’s
participation in the local Rogue Festival, writing about campus
events for FresnoFamous.com, and teaching in the Central California
High School Journalism Conference. Jefferson’s efforts on
behalf of the university were recognized recently with the
Associated Students’ Outstanding Student Leadership
Award.

Linguistics
Sande Wu

Sande Wu graduated in Fall 2006 with a degree in
Linguistics with an option in TESL. With a GPA of 4.0, Sande proved
herself to be an exceptional graduate student. The high quality of
her research is particularly noteworthy. For example, the abstract
of one of her papers ({Literacy Games for Adult Immigrant
Students”) was accepted for the 2007 TESOL International
Conference, which is one of them most prestigious conferences in
the field. In addition to maintaining excellence in academics, she
has been actively engages in a variety of extracurricular
activities. Since 2004 Sande has been teaching a variety of courses
at the American English Institute and is considered an invaluable
instructor. She also taught in the Department of Linguistics as
well as the Learning Resource Center.

Mass Communication and Journalism
Christine Park

Christine is the Consumer and Morning
Reporter for ABC 30 Action News, having joined the station in
October 2000. She won an Emmy for her reporting on the Valley's
number one morning show, AM Live. She was hired as a Production
Assistant and Newsroom Trainee at KRON-TV in San Francisco upon
graduating with honors from UC Berkeley. Prior to her current
position at ABC-30, she was the Special Projects Producer and
Weekend Assignment Editor. Christine earned her Master's Degree in
Mass Communications and Journalism from Fresno State in the summer
of 2006. She taught broadcast writing and reporting to
undergraduate students as a graduate assistant and was honored with
the Outstanding MCJ Graduate Award. She was also selected for Kappa
Tau Alpha, a national honors society for journalism students and
awarded “top scholar.” Christine’s master’s
project was a case study analysis of the Scott Peterson case and
the over-exposure of media coverage. Her project explored the
reasons and motivations behind the extensive media coverage of the
Scott and Laci Peterson case, and raised issues of agenda setting
as well as race, gender, and class in determining coverage-worthy
victims. In addition to analyzing this case from a scholarly
perspective, Christine also produced a short documentary on the
event and coverage. The documentary-style video contained
interviews with local journalists, legal experts, and media
professors, who all agree that the case contained a perfect storm
of events and characters that made it the perfect story. She
currently lives in Fresno with her husband Gene and her baby girl
Sydney.

Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures
Karla Suarez

Karla Suarez is the first member to graduate
from college from a low-income family that works in the fields. She
is also a nominee for the Outstanding Thesis Award, and is on the
Dean and President’s lists. Karla has been admitted to the
Ph.D. program in Spanish at Stanford University; she was one of 5
applicants accepted into this prestigious program –out of a
total of 125 candidates that applied. It is Karla’s goal to
critically analyze and revise the position of women writers within
the Spanish literary canon. It is her belief that due to a lack of
community and tradition, as well as the historically recognized
hostility of established male writers towards women writers and
citizens, women faced a series of hurdles that prevented them from
being considered important within literary circles. Karla has been
heavily involved with non-profit organizations that promote a
community awareness within the Latino community. She was a
volunteer high school tutor for three years thorough the Teaching
Fellows Program at Fresno State, and has been an active member of
University Migrant Services. Karla has also been an active member
at various Catholic charity groups in three different communities.
Karla has had to work in the fields, packing houses, and has been a
translator, a nurse assistant and a community liaison for a
non-profit mobile clinic in order to support her studies.

Ryan Nyberg
MA in Music Composition

Ryan T. Nyberg is a graduate student in the
Department of Music, and is finishing the MA Degree in Music with a
major in Composition with a 4.0 GPA. He received his BA in Music
from the Thornton School of Music at University of Southern
California, where he graduated cum laude, and received the Student
Leadership Award for his work in the Concert Choir. Before that he
received Associates degrees from Fresno City College in Music with
an emphasis in Piano and in Business Administration, where he
graduated with highest honors. A native of Fresno, he was
homeschooled K-12, graduating from high school in 1995. Currently,
Ryan works nights full-time as an office administrator, and goes to
school full-time during the day. He is also a teaching associate in
the Music Department, teaching beginning keyboard as a general
education course. He plays flute, piano, and drums in his church
worship team, and has conducted, run rehearsals, and done
transcription work for his church as well. In his spare time, he
writes music for student films and promotional videos. On campus,
Ryan plays with the Fresno State Flute Ensemble and the Fresno
State Early Music Ensemble, and has taken part in the New Music
Ensemble and numerous student recitals. He worked with the
interdisciplinary research group researching pitch perception in
dyadic conversations, and helped plan the inaugural Fresno State
New Music Festival. For his thesis project, he is putting on an
on-campus recital of original music in March, and will include a
performance of his Concerto No.1 for piano and orchestra.